THEY were two of the top Glam Rock bands of the seventies, clocking up 36 hits between them in that decade alone.

The mighty Slade and Sweet are still thrilling audiences with their brand of happy, energetic rock and are touring the UK together throughout November and December.

Guitarist Andy Scott is the only original Sweet member still in the line-up and handling the lead vocals these days is Andrew Lincoln, who until a couple of years ago was fronting another seventies band – Sailor. The man he replaced in Sweet, Malcolm McNulty, now sings lead vocals for Slade and they can boast two original members in flamboyant guitarist Dave Hill and drummer Don Powell.

Bassist John Berry completes the line-up. Dave Hill, who still lives a stone’s throw away from the council house in Wolverhampton where he grew up, has only praise for his new band-mates.

“John fits in really well and also plays violin, which is useful as we need a violin in Cos I Luv You.

“Malcolm is a really good guy,” explains Dave. “He’s originally from Liverpool and has a really strong voice; not dissimilar to Noddy.”

Dave tells me that Slade has worked with Sweet many times.

“We play a lot of festivals together on the continent – we often play in front of crowds of 20,000.”

Dave and Don have been in bands together since 1964 and he has no thoughts of stopping.

“I still enjoy it immensely. I’m happy to be doing something I love and that gives so much pleasure to so many.”

So can we expect a hit-fest?

“Oh yes, I don’t think anybody will be short-changed with regards to songs they know. “All the number ones and probably the twos and threes, but I might drop in a couple of surprises.”

n Slade and Sweet are at Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre on November 14. Tickets from www.ents24.com.